My 1924-Kilometer Journey: Why Pelister is My Favorite Destination

As we enter a new year, we also embrace a new era of tourism. The Kajak.mk team believes that 2021 will bring significant changes to the way we travel. The pandemic has taught us to cherish and appreciate travel more than ever. Instead of limiting our experiences, it has sparked a desire to explore the world in greater depth.

Many of our regular travelers and readers have discovered that Macedonia boasts truly beautiful places worth visiting. Our eco team not only focuses on domestic destinations but also hopes to expand our offerings to include accommodations from neighbouring countries in the near future.

In 2021, we are excited to introduce you to a group of individuals who, as a young team, are dedicated to reshaping tourism in the coming year. These are people who deserve a spotlight on our platform because they know how to make the most of their time with active vacations.

Today, we would like to introduce you to Martina Nikolovska, a young, ambitious, and adventurous girl from Bitola. Martina has a unique ability to "experience the world in the palm of her hand." She can’t pinpoint the exact moment she fell in love with the mountains and travelling; it all started spontaneously. 

Since her early high school years, she has spent her free time riding her bicycle to Nize Pole. There, she and a friend would lock their bikes to the barricade of a fence and hike up to Golemo Ezero on foot. They often spent the night there, and at times, they would rush back to ensure they made it to school on time.

Martina loves the mountain for its peace and tranquillity. She believes that it is a place where one can find themselves, forget their problems, and truly enjoy life. 

Whether it’s summer or winter, Pelister is a mountain she wouldn’t trade for any other. It is her first love and her favorite place to escape from the crowds.

She loves cycling and takes every opportunity to ride her bike. She has completed numerous tours, including trips from Bitola to Mavrovo and from Bitola through Galicica around Lake Ohrid. One of her most notable achievements is an 11-day tour along the Adriatic Highway, covering 1,337 kilometers. Additionally, she completed a tour from Belgrade to Hamburg, where she traveled 1,924 kilometers.

Mountain bike tours are among her favourite activities. She aims to experience as much of our untouched beauty as possible, even though it’s often difficult to capture that in a photograph. 

In 2021, she plans to explore new peaks on her bike and share new stories. Martina advises anyone considering this type of recreational tourism to be cautious in the mountains, as they have their own set of rules.